Oceanside's El Camino Country Club is more than a championship golf and upscale events facility. This summer it will be a shining example of community health and lively play as a free CPR and AED training session is paired with elite-level tennis clinics offered in association with USTA Southern California.
It is more than a Saturday doing something different or practicing your forehand. It is about building a culture of preparedness and resilience and enjoying refined life that country club living represents. It is a day when life-saving lessons come back to the court in the most literal and inspirational sense.
A Tale of Bravery and Community Spirit
To grasp the importance of this occurrence, you need to go back to the time when all that changed for El Camino's tight-knit community.
It was a typical game of tennis on a fine sunny afternoon. The courts were abuzz with warm friendship and laughter. Among them was a 57-year-old club member who was renowned for his physical fitness and sense of humor. Nobody had any inkling that he would just collapse in cardiac arrest.
In those initial seconds of quiet panic loomed. But training and bravery asserted themselves. The other players on the field quickly provided hands-only CPR and called for assistance. The Oceanside Fire Department soon arrived with an Automated External Defibrillator resuscitating him before rushing him to Tri-City Medical Center. Against all odds, he survived.
He went back to work this week and on the court a living testament to the power of being ready. His story motivated the entire club to offer a free community-wide CPR and AED training session in 2024 that attracted more than 100 individuals committed to being prepared in the event the unthinkable occurs again.
That vigilant and compassionate energy is the heartbeat of this year's celebration on July 12.
Free Hands-Only CPR and AED Training to All
This summer El Camino Country Club invites 16 and older golfers to participate in an experience that can genuinely transform their lives. The Oceanside Fire Department and medical experts from Tri-City Medical Center will be conducting essential hands-on CPR and AED training designed for real-world application.
Not only will participants witness a demonstration, but they will learn how to perform with intent. They will learn how to perform compressions that continue to pump blood to the brain. They will learn to operate an AED where its easy-to-follow directions guide them through each step. More importantly, they will be able to walk away knowing they can make the difference between life and death in those initial few minutes until the professional responders are there.
This open training is a public service to demonstrate the club's interest in well-being beyond recreation. It is about empowering neighbor friends and relatives with knowledge that goes beyond sport and leisure.
USTA Southern California Tennis Clinics
While the AED and CPR training underscores the day's solemn intent the event also honors tennis as one of the healthiest sports in the world.
USTA Southern California will also offer free clinics for players of every level from Red Dot Ball Clinics which introduce tennis in a quick fun way and Live Ball Clinics emphasizing constant point play and movement.
These clinics are not only designed to improve technique but to develop a life-long appreciation of the sport. Players will get the thrill of competition the pride of mastering a skill and the simple joy of being active on state-of-the-art courts.
Scientific studies have shown that playing tennis regularly can add nearly a decade to your life. It improves cardiovascular health improves balance and coordination improves mental alertness and promotes social interaction. By integrating CPR training with tennis clinics, El Camino Country Club is not only educating people how to save lives but how to live their own as well.
A Coming Together of Health and Community
The festival is also a time for the community to come together in a shared effort of health safety and enjoyment. Neighbors will congregate on the court with first responders and tennis professionals alike.
For many, this day will be their first experience with CPR and AED use. Others will return for a refresher, grateful for the chance to remain sharp. New tennis players will learn to love the game, and veteran players will refine their level of play in a relaxed setting.
The involvement of the Oceanside Fire Department adds a personal touch that is local to the event. These are the ones who come to the call when necessary and they are sacrificing their time to share life-saving skills. Their presence is a testament to the significant role of civic organizations and private clubs in building healthier safer communities.
A Promise to Last a Lifetime
El Camino Country Club has long been a haven for those who appreciate the finer things in life from championship golf and tennis to fine cuisine and socializing. But its devotion to member and community wellness is equally refined.
Sponsoring this free event is part of an overall commitment to funding lifelong health. It's a recognition that living well is about being ready for the surprises life has in store, but also being engaged in activities that give us sustenance and enrichment.
Whether you are going to the CPR clinics within the tennis clinics or just to be part of an active community day, you are leaving there with something more than new knowledge or a healthier backhand. You are leaving there with the confidence that you can perform in a crisis and with the inspiration to live more actively and intentionally.
Join the Event at El Camino Country Club
El Camino Country Club and USTA Southern California invite you to be a guest at this special day on Saturday July 12. It is public and free but space may be limited so early registration is a plus. Come learn to save a life then head on out to the court to defend your own. It's a day all about health safety community and the ever-lasting passion of tennis. To register for the event or to learn more please go to the official registration page.
Post a comment as Guest
Report
Watch this discussion.
(0) comments
We welcome your comments
Log In
Post a comment as Guest
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.